$87 Million In Emergency COVID-19 Funding Proposed In King County

SEATTLE, WA — King County Executive Dow Constantine is seeking a fourth round of emergency funding amid the continuing COVID-19 crisis. The latest $87 million proposal is earmarked for new testing sites, housing assistance, childcare and the ongoing public health response.

While there have been some promising recent signs of progress against coronavirus transmission in Washington, the virus's activity remains well above target levels in King County and elsewhere.

Constantine's proposed budget includes $11 million to create two new drive-thru and walk-up testing sites located in south and east King County. Public health workers would also team up with Community Health Centers to deploy other testing sites to underserved communities.

According to the county, funding would include contributions from the federal CARES Act and the state.

Here's where the rest of the money would go:

• Isolation/quarantine and recovery centers through the end of the year: $12.6 million.
• Public health response through the end of the year: $29 million.
• Hotel vouchers for the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness through the end of the year: $2.5 million.
• An outreach and compliance initiative to help restaurants, bars and taverns increase compliance with the Governor’s safe start orders: $2.7 million.
• Operating costs to get the Courts up and running, including using the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, for civil trials only: $1.8 million.
• Support for arts organizations: $2 million.
• Funding for emergency childcare: $3 million.

In a statement, Constantine said the latest proposal emphasizes help for the most vulnerable and provides resources for the continuing public health response throughout the county.

"This supplemental budget illustrates the breadth of our responsibilities, from new walk-up testing sites, to adding plexi-glass and other safety protections to courtrooms, to ensuring arts organizations can continue to enrich our community once the danger has passed," Constantine said.